APPLE growers in Batlow have experienced a bumper crop this year thanks to cool, dry weather conditions, however many may struggle to cash in due over supply.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Manager of Batlow Apple Co-operative Greg Mouat said in excess of 40,000 bins of fruit had come out of the Batlow region alone.
“We had very good growing conditions. There was no real cold snap and we had a very comfortable February.
“Some growers experienced hail, which will take the shine off a little, but that was mainly in isolated areas.”
Damaged apples can still be sold on as “second packs” for juice or cider.
“When it’s been a big year, the quality of fruit always comes into account,” Mr Mouat said.
Strains of Pink Lady apples continue to catch the eye of Australian consumers who tend to prefer deep red, waxy apples.
“Alivina apples are also popular – with Australians favouring the US trend of waxed, deeply coloured apples,” Mr Mouat said.
Growers could expect to pick up reasonable prices for apples, with top quality produce fetching as high as $2 a kilogram.
“The price varies form about 70 cents to a $2 – there is great variety in pricing so it is hard to put an average price.”
Growers selling damaged or leftover stock to juicers would fetch around $150 to $160 a tonne.
“That’s a reasonable price.”
The export market continues to be an “area of expansion” for growers, particularly in China, but ensuring import and export did not threaten apple quality was paramount, Mr Mouat said.
“Generally it’s been a good year, while prices are not sky high growers will make money through the amount of stock sold.”
Batlow Premium Juice’s Peter Forsyth said growers were getting significantly less for their apples than in 2015.
“It’s a case of supply and demand,” Mr Forsyth said.
“It’s not a good year for growers (selling to juicers).”
Mr Forsyth said tonnes of apples were around $100 lower than prices fetched last year.
He said end of the 2014 saw a spike in prices. "I doubt that will happen this year.”
He estimated 15 to 20 per cent of the stock would be juiced and used for cider – an ever-expanding market.
"Most of the juice goes to Sydney and Melbourne as does the cider.”